Charleston, South Carolina is waiting for us. We’ll be there to celebrate our Association’s 30th Anniversary with this reunion scheduled for 13-16 April 2015. We selected these days because it will be the height of the Spring blooms.
Charleston and the surrounding area is full of too many activities for just one visit. Even those who have visited her in the past can find new and different things to do. Museums, the Citadel, the College of Charleston, the Historic City, the Battery, antebellum homes, plantations , enchanting gardens, historic churches with very old cemeteries,
the French Quarter, Rainbow Row , Civil War memories, military attractions including the Yorktown and all the restaurants featuring Low Country cuisine. Don’t leave until you have tried she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, HOPPIN JOHN and a Huguenot torte.
The registration form includes the activities selected for this reunion. Bus transportation is included. Choose some or all or branch out to some of your individual interests but remember our Hospitality Room , actually 3 adjoining rooms off the Embassy Suites ( ES ) main lobby is there for the usual meeting, greeting and reminiscing with old friends.
Here’s a summary of the planned daily activities as shown on the registration form:

MONDAY, APRIL 13th is Registration Day. The Registration table will be open from 10:00 AM to 5 PM. It will be located in the ES’s main lobby. The Hospitality rooms will also be opened and in full swing. You are free to meet and greet throughout the day or do some local touring on your own. The Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist Monastery in Moncks Corner-a 20 mile drive or the Charleston AFB golf course just 4 miles away are just a couple of the local attractions.
But be back in time for the “FREE” — 30th Anniversary “Light Dinner” Celebration sponsored by our Treasury , fully sanctioned by our Treasurer and available to all at- tendees and their guests. It is buffet style and will be set up in one of our HR’s from 5:30-7:00 PM coincidental with the ES’s daily open bar. It’s not a fancy meal but an enjoyable one. The menu consists of the choice of 2 soups, baked russet or sweet potato with assorted toppings: chili, white and brown gravy, bacon bits, cheese, butter, sour cream, chives, sautéed mushrooms & onions, broccoli, cinnamon and sugar shakers and slices of French bread. Come early.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14th, is “Historic Charleston Day”. We begin the day with a “Combo Tour” featuring a morning city horse-drawn carriage ride and a paddle boat narrated harbor tour including lunch on board and then FREE time in the Historic Downtown portion of Charleston. The bus will initally take us to downtown Charleston to the Red Barn, home of the Palmetto Carriage Works. Boarding the carriage is easy with the use of a rising ramp making wheel chair access available. The one hour carriage ride offers a blend of knowledge, wit, humor and history. We’ll see 25-30 blocks of Charleston’s historic downtown district, including houses, gardens, mansions, churches, and parks. We’ll learn about buildings, history, architecture, flora and the people who make up the “Holy City”, a name given to Charleston because of it’s many churches. Then the bus will take us to the City Marina where we board the 1920s-style steamer, the Carolina Belle. It’s a 1.5 hour sightseeing narrated cruise seeing sights of the Battery, the Ravenel suspension bridge, Forts Sumter, Moultrie and Johnson, port facilities, and many of Charleston’s fine waterfront homes and churches maybe even some friendly dolphins. The lunch on board by Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ will be pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac-n-cheese, cole slaw, buns, sauces and tea. There’s alsoa fully stocked cash bar on board. After the cruise the bus brings us back to down- town. You’ll be free until 4 PM to shop on Market Street, visit any of the downtown sites (Confederate Museum, Old Slave Mart Museum, The Powder Magazine, The Charleston Museum, Postal Museum, the many churches and historic homes) or you can use the “Free” trolley that runs all around the city. Use the visitors’ guide book you’ll receive at registration to locate the various spots of interest when downtown. The bus back will be at the same location we are dropped off after the Cruise. We’ll head back to the Embassy Suites for the ES manager’s “Happy Hour”. Dinner is on your own locally.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15th is “Plantation Day” followed by an evening concert in downtown Charleston. At 08:30 the bus takes us to Middleton Place, a National Historic Land- mark. It’s a carefully preserved 18th century 6500 acre rice plantation on the Ashley River. We’ll have guided tours in small groups of both the oldest American landscaped gardens and of the historic home museum. The gardens were begun in 1741 by Henry Middleton who later became president of the First Continental Congress. Inside the house on display is a silk copy of the Declaration of Independence of which Middleton was a signer. On our own we’ll visit the plantation stable yards featuring demonstrations of spinning, weaving, black smithing, pottery, corn grinding, candle and soap making and cow milking, all of which were performed by skilled slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries. There’s also a freeman’s cabin, slave chapel and slave cemetery. On the property we’ll have a “Low Country Lunch Buffet” featuring okra gumbo, field greens salad with Middleton vinaigrette, plantation chicken salad, southern fried chicken, hickory smoked barbeque pork, collard greens,- pot liqueur, ham hock, HOPPIN’ JOHN ( a Southern Specialty), corn pudding, sautéed green beans, pecan pie, freshly baked corn bread and buttermilk biscuits with unsweetened tea, coffee and water. Just before departing at 2 PM we’ll spend a short time in the gift shop where very interesting local area items are available. Dinner is on your own locally. At 6 PM the bus takes us back downtown to the Circular Congregational Church. Come and experience the unique sounds that define Charleston’s rich musical heritage—gos- pel, Gershwin, music of the Civil War, light classics & jazz — all presented by profes- sional artists in a live unforgettable 75 minute concert. Just the piano duet of “Rhap- sody in Blue” is worth the trip. The author of “Amazing Grace” was a frequent attendee here. Did you know “Porgy and Bess” was written by the Gershwins on Folly Beach just across the bridge from Charleston. The old cemetery behind the church is also very interesting and well worth a few minutes of observation before the concert begins.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16th ‘s morning provides a choice of two activities, either visiting “Patriot’s Point” or for Civil War interests –the first submarine, the ” H. L. Hunley” built by the Confederates. Both buses leave the ES at 9 AM.
First Choice: “Patriot’s Point” features the USS Yorktown, a famous World War II aircraft carrier, the submarine USS Clamagore and the destroyer USS Laffey. You can tour all 3 on your own. Be sure to visit the “Medal of Honor museum” on board the York- town. We’ll have lunch on the Yorktown in the “Chief Petty Officers Galley” eating off a metal Navy style tray and walking thru the line. We’ll have the choice of 1⁄4 smoked chicken or a pulled pork barbeque sandwich with house salad, green beans, a chocolate chip cookie with lemonade and water. Second Choice: This is a must for anyone interested in “Civil War Naval Archaeology”. We’ll go to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center for a private tour of the Confederate submarine, the H.L.Hunley and how it sunk a Union ship. Next we may visit the Magnolia cemetery where the 3 Hunley crewmen are buried. Lunch will be at the Charleston AFB All Ranks Club ordering individually from their lunch menu.
Thursday afternoon is the Business Meeting starting at 2 PM. Spouses and guests may attend but voting is by member only. An agenda will be posted inside the Hospitality Room with a copy of San Diego’s Business Meeting’s minutes. At the meeting here’s a few items for discussion: (a) Decision on the next reunion’s time and location with the possibility of looking forward to a future 2nd follow-on reunion location, (b) Any potential changes to our By-Laws remembering that they must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors ( Chairman ) 45 days prior to the scheduled Business Meeting. Any disagreements between the Board and Submitter will be reconciled prior to a member- ship vote at the meeting, (c) there is a proposal to reduce the Life Membership requirement currently in the By-Laws, Article X from 85 years old to 80 years old.
The banquet is scheduled for 6 PM. Individual photos for the Memory Book will be prior to the banquet.
Now for some related information about the Charleston area not in any particular order. Both the Embassy Suites and the Residence Inn by Marriot offer free shuttle service to and from the CHS airport. Call Embassy Suites –(843) 747-1882 or Residence Inn by Marriot-(843) 266-3434. Use these phone numbers also to make a new reservation, change or cancel an existing reservation. New reservations must be made by March 11, 2015 after this date any remaining rooms in our block will be returned to the respective hotels for other outside guests. It only takes a credit card to secure a reservation with no charges made until arrival.
Additional rooms are available at Charleston AFB by calling (843) 963-8000 and mention our group reservation code 20730091891. Our block of rooms is available until April 4, 2015.
For anyone wanting to go to the downtown historic district of Charleston there is a special local bus that leaves from the Fire Museum in the Tanger Outlet Center. The hotels provide a short shuttle ride to the location of the bus stop. It’s a $3 cash only bus each way ride and takes about 20 minutes. The end stop is the CHS downtown Visitors’ Center. From there a “free” city bus trolley will take you on a route around the city with convenient drop-off spots. A schedule for the bus will be posted in the hospitality room.
Like in all previous reunions there may be some late cancellations due to various reasons. We will work all refunds on a case-by-case review. Hopefully everyone who submits a registration form will be able to come.
SEE YOU ALL IN CHARLESTON !!!!!

Below is the list of names attending.

*Asterisk names below are new reservations since the last update.
+ Denotes members staying elsewhere in the local area
(2) , (3) & (4) Denotes the number of rooms reserved by that attendee.

As of the end of October, we have just over $29,700 in our bank accounts, and we have spent close to $4,000 in deposits and purchases towards our April Reunion. Other purchase orders are in process, and will become payable next year. We have sufficient funds to cover our expenses.
If you are 85 years old, or approaching your 85th birthday, please let me know. I am having a lot of difficulty in reading minds! I have found a couple of folks who were eligible for LIFE Membership and sent in normal dues payments. Either call me at the phone number listed in any roster published in the last 20 years, or email me at the email address listed in the roster.
CHECK YOUR DUES EXPIRATION DATE ON THE LABEL!
I will not be bringing any prior reunion mementos with me, so if you are interested in purchasing anything, I have eight of the hats from San Diego for $13.50 each, or 11 of the HPA Logo hats for $7.50 each. Plenty of Credit card cases at $7.00 each, Challenge Coins for $1.50 each Post-it-note cases from Branson at $4.50 each, and HPA Decals, regular or LIFE, for $1 each. Lapel/Hat pins for $1.50 each. Last but not least, Memory Books from Orlando, FL / Colorado Springs, CO / Branson, MO / and San Diego, CA. $20 each, or make offer.

ADA SPECIALIST CORNER – Don Van Meter
Mobility Handicap Considerations
Airlines: Each airline is a bit different in their rules regarding handicapped durable mobility equipment. Walkers and wheelchairs are checked, for free, they do not count as an item of luggage. The same is true for “travel or portable” mobility scooters. The author has a Luggie scooter which folds into a cube less than 2’x2’ and has rollers like most small luggage. United has flown it and stored it in the coat area of the main cabin. Others put it on with the other luggage. Southwest has a 1 hr prior to flight check-in so they can prep it for the flight. The key is a unit that has a lithium gel battery with no exposed terminals. You should check with your air carrier of choice prior to booking a flight for their rules.

Mobility Scooter Rentals: There are several medical supply businesses in SC that rent mobility scooters and will deliver and pick-up the scooter at our hotel. Prices and style differ dependent on the weight of the person using the scooter.

HISTORIAN’S CORNER – K.V.Hall (kykat46@gmail.com)

Been doing some additions and updates on .org pages. Check out “What’s New”. Can always use some more stories, pictures and info on your units.
K.V.

HERE IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHARLESTON:
-Charles Towne was founded in 1670 in honor of King Charles II of England.
-During the American Revolution in 1776 South Carolina President and Commander in Chief John Rutledge ordered the construction of Fort Sullivan ( now Fort Moultrie ) and made Col. William Moultrie the fort’s commander. On June 28, 1776 British General Sir Henry Clinton with 2000 men and a naval squadron tried to seize Charles Towne but failed. Four years later in 1780 Clinton returned with 14,000 soldiers and took siege of Charles Towne. It became the greatest American defeat of the war. During the next 3 years a South Carolinian named General Francis Marion, alias “The Swampfox”, harassed the British. After the British left in December 1792 the city’s name was officially changed to Charleston. (Note: In the historic district of downtown Charleston there is a historic hotel called the Francis Marion.)
-On December 20, 1860, following the election of Abraham Lincoln the South Carolina General Assembly voted to secede from the Union. On January 9, 1861 Citadel cadets opened fire on the Union ship, Star of the West, entering Charleston’s harbor. On April 12, 1861, shore batteries under the command of General Pierre G.T. Beauregard opened fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in the harbor. After a 34-hour bombardment Major Robert Anderson surrendered the fort, starting the Civil War.
-Union forces blockaded the city. In a failed effort to break the blockade on February 17, 1864 an early manufactured Confederate submarine, the H.L.Hunley made a night attack and sunk the USS Housatonic by ramming it. After this successful foray she also sank with her crew of 8 to the bottom of the Atlantic where she remained until August 8. 2000. She was raised and is on display in North Charleston at the Warren Lasch Laboratory.

CARTA: Is the name for public bus transport. All of their busses are Handicapped friendly and have lifts and/or the bus kneels for mobility scooter/wheelchair loading which has priority locations reserved.

DASH: Is a part of CARTA and is the smaller buses that serve the old town part of the city. They too are handicapped friendly and have lifts…etc. They have a lift and reserved places for 2 mobility scooters/wheelchairs. The trip charge for public transportation is $1 each trip.
The charge for those with a handicap is 50¢. You will need your VA letter or a handicapped rider card from your local municipal or regional public transport service and get a local Handicapped Rider ID card at their Ticket 1 Stop Center, 1930 Hanahan Rd. You can also mail for an application by calling 1-843-574-1800 or 1810 and requesting a disability riders application for reduced rates.

Taxi: All have full size cars that can hold a folded wheelchair in the trunk, some have vans too, but none with lifts. Please specify full size car or van when calling for pick-up.
Express Cab Company 577-8816
Flag A Cab 554-1231
Safety Cab Company 722-4066
Yellow Cab 577-6565

Public Parking: The City of Charleston has a great public parking lot and garage system (city owned). You can check out locations on line and even load a free app that will automatically locate the lots/garages for you. For those of you that have disability placards be sure to bring one with you as the lot use is Free for the handicapped.

Free Parking , (State code 56-3-1960): Free parking for people with disabilities in metered or timed (garages included) parking spaces. This applies to county, city and state owned facilities only.

Sight Seeing in Charleston:

1. Old Town Market. Note there are only two true handicap accommodating restrooms in the 3 long block building, one at each end.
2. Most all of the public parking lots and garages have restrooms, however we do not have information, at this time, as to how handicapped friendly they are.
3. Many fine restaurants, and most have a step or more at the entrance,walkers do OK and staff is most helpful in finding a parking place for them and when needed they appear. Careful though some of those good eating places have restrooms accessible up or down the stairs, just ask before seating, and may have undisclosed places or a service elevator that the handicapped may use might just appear.
4. Mostallofthemuseumsandhistoricplaceshavealimitednumberofwheelchairstouse(often just one or two). Handicapped entrances to some of the old historic buildings are not always well marked so a call ahead can be helpful. Example, the old Customs Bldg. entrance is in back and must call for a person to open it from inside.
5. BothFortsSumterandMoultriearehandicapfriendly. 6. Toursofthehistorichomesinvolvemanystairsandforthosethataremobilitylimitedisn’t
possible.
All the “Reunion Hands” look forward to seeing you in Charleston. The next Newsletter will have details for making room reservations at the Embassy Suites and a definition of the planned activities.